FLATPOINT/SABA- The much anticipated helicopter service which will allow for 24 hour medical evacuations was finally put into service today with the arrival of the temporary lights that are needed to illuminate the helipad at Juancho Yrausquin International Airport.

The lights were delivered by the pilots medevac contractor National Helicopters to the Airport in the presence of Commissioner of Health, Bruce Zagers; Chairman of the Saba Healthcare Foundation, Sydney Sorton; Director of the Saba Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Joka Blauboer; Head of Public Health, Dr. Gijs Koot;, Airport Manager, Vincent Hassell  among others.

National Helicopters has been operating the helicopter for training flights in the area, and recently have been available for daytime evacuations. The airport on Saba, however, did not have sufficient lighting, because it is not open for night operations. The temporary lighting will be put in place when there is an emergency and can be removed when not necessary. 

While at the airport the chief pilot took the opportunity to familiarize the medical staff with the helicopter. Dr. Koot volunteered to be lifted into the helicopter on a stretcher to provide as an example of how this would work in a real life situation.

The helicopter will transport emergency medical cases from Saba to St. Maarten.

Commissioner Zagers said that he was extremely pleased to see the helicopter land on Saba after hearing many excuses about the delays. “We have been very fortunate for the past months that we did not need this service. Hopefully we won’t need it in the future but it is reassuring to know that the service is available if the need arises. Much work needs to be done to bring the level of the new health insurance to an acceptable level, but this can been seen as a positive step in the right direction,” concluded Zagers. 

In Picture: Hospital, Airport Staff and Pilots of National Helicopter in front of the helicopter that will be used for medical evacuations. In the foreground the temporary lights that will be used to illuminate the helipad.